How to Plan a Birthday Party

• Make a master list of tasks and check them off as you complete them. This way, you avoid those annoying last minute dashes to the convenience store for ice and candles.
• Be sure you buy as many things as possible in one place. It may be tempting to decide to try to price something that seems expensive at another store. However, not only does this take up extra time, but it also actually will probably cost money because of the increase in gas prices. In fact, if you really want to save time and money, take your party supply shopping online.
• Delegate some tasks to other people. You don’t have to do it all. There are plenty of ways other people can help. Ask guests to each bring food or supplies and a small gift instead of the larger gifts they were planning to buy. Have someone designated to help set up the party and someone else to help take it all back down.